Portland School Board member Trudy Sargent will not seek re-election on the May ballot, which will include three school board seats.

“I’m completing my term and eight years is enough for me,” said Sargent, who has been in Florida for the past few weeks for a family emergency. “I’ve given it my best efforts and it’s time for someone else to step in.”

The two-term incumbent was elected in 2005 to represent Zone 6, which includes feeder schools for both Franklin and Madison high schools. Sargent, who owns a local real estate company and has experience as a business and tax attorney, took part in her fair share of controversial votes and often spoke out strongly for financial accountability.

Sargent's votes helped usher in a plan under then-Superintendent Vicki Phillips that converted many schools into K-8s, a decision that riled many in the community. She was one of the four board members that voted for the high school redesign that closed Marshall High School and also came out strongly against a 2011 contract with teachers. Though she wasn’t there to vote on the agreement, she wrote a lengthy letter decrying the deal for failing to freeze wages and health insurance increases despite tough budget constraints.

Sargent’s fellow incumbents Martin Gonzalez and Pam Knowles both filed to run again on Monday. They had not yet drawn any opponents as of Wednesday night.

Gonzalez, who represents North and Northeast Portland schools that feed Roosevelt and Madison high schools in Zone 4, was first appointed to the board in 2008, when Dan Ryan left the board to take over All Hands Raised, a foundation for Portland schools. He was subsequently elected in 2009.

Knowles was also elected in 2009 and represents Zone 5, which includes feeder schools for both Grant and Madison high schools.